Can Catholics Vote For Pro-Choice Politicians?

• “Yes”

  

  “Abortion Teaching Does Not Meet the Definition of Infallible Teaching”

• No Objections Yet

Abortion Teaching Does Not Meet the Definition of Infallible Teaching

Jon O'Brien

President, Catholics for Choice

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In addition, the popular notion that whatever the pope says on a serious topic is infallible is an exaggeration of the principle of infallibility. While some ultra-conservative groups claim that the teaching on abortion is infallible, it does not in fact meet the definition of an infallible teaching. Since the doctrine of papal infallibility was first declared in 1870, only three teachings have been declared infallible: the Immaculate Conception of Mary; the Assumption of Mary; and the declaration on infallibility itself.

At the heart of church teachings on moral matters is a deep regard for an individual’s conscience. The Catechism states that “a human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience.” Catholic teaching holds that when the church cannot speak definitively on a matter of fact, the consciences of individual Catholics must be primary and respected. This leaves latitude for Catholics to support prochoice politicians.

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"Yes" Jon OBrien

• Catholics Can Support Pro Choice Politicians in Good Conscience
  1
• Abortion Teaching Does Not Meet the Definition of Infallible Teaching
  1
• Church Has Never Declared its Position on Abortion to Be Infallible
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"Yes" Catholic Democrats

• Two Deep Flaws in Arguments Made By Conservatives
  2
• Three Points are Worth Considering
  1
• The Key Deficiency in the Conservative Argument
  1

"Yes" Chris Korzen

• Pope Benedict Says Yes - It's All about the
  4
• Making Abortion Illegal is not the Only Option
  4
• Pro-Life Means All Life
  3
• The Ghost of Elections Past
  3

"No" Deal Hudson

• Reasons Not to Vote for Obama
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• The Catholic Church Has Held a Position on This Subject for Centuries
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• I Cannot Vote for a Man Who Would Choose Judges Based on "Empathy"
  7

"No" Brad Miner

• “Pro-Choice” is a Euphemism for a Very Grave Sin
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• The Catholic Church Insists That Life Begins at Conception
  11
• No Faithful Catholic May Vote for a Pro-Abortion Candidate
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• No Proportionate Reason to Vote for a Pro-Abortion Candidate
  10

"No" The American Papist

• No in Every Circumstance I've Seen
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• What have the Bishops Said Recently?
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• My Reason for Answering "No" is *Not* Partisan
  10
• A Brief Comparison of Platforms Through Catholic Eyes
  7

Most Objections

Can Catholics Vote Pro Choice?

• Yes
• No

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